Title
Alabama Central Female College Art Class and Exhibition
Subject
Women's colleges
Old State Capitol
Description
A photograph of a drawing class and an exhibition of the students' art work at the Alabama Central Female College.
The Alabama Central Female College was housed in the old state capitol building on grounds owned by the University of Alabama. The Alabama State Capitol was located in Tuscaloosa from 1826 until 1847. The stone foundation of the capitol was laid in 1827 and work was completed in the late fall of 1829.
After the seat of government was moved to Montgomery in 1847, the Tuscaloosa Capitol and its furnishing were deeded to the University of Alabama to be used for educational purposes. In 1857, the University Board of Trustees leased the building for ninety nine years to the newly formed Baptist-affiliated Alabama Central Female College. At this time, a large brick four story dormitory was constructed at the west of the building. The capitol building was used by the Alabama Central Female College until it was destroyed by fire on August 22, 1923 when a construction worker accidentally set it ablaze. He was soldering a piece of flashing while repairing the dome and the building caught fire. The historic building was totally destroyed by fire. In the 1930's, the site was cleared for use as a park.
Archibald John Battle was president 1860-1862 (he later served as president of Mercer University from 1872-1889). Joshua Hill Foster was joint principal from 1869-71 and president from 1871-1873 (then became faculty member at University of Alabama until 1892). John F. Lanneau served as president from 1873-79 (later serving as president of Baptist Female College in Lexington, MO and Pierce City College also in MO).
The ruins of the old Alabama State Capitol building can still be seen in Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa.
The Alabama Central Female College was housed in the old state capitol building on grounds owned by the University of Alabama. The Alabama State Capitol was located in Tuscaloosa from 1826 until 1847. The stone foundation of the capitol was laid in 1827 and work was completed in the late fall of 1829.
After the seat of government was moved to Montgomery in 1847, the Tuscaloosa Capitol and its furnishing were deeded to the University of Alabama to be used for educational purposes. In 1857, the University Board of Trustees leased the building for ninety nine years to the newly formed Baptist-affiliated Alabama Central Female College. At this time, a large brick four story dormitory was constructed at the west of the building. The capitol building was used by the Alabama Central Female College until it was destroyed by fire on August 22, 1923 when a construction worker accidentally set it ablaze. He was soldering a piece of flashing while repairing the dome and the building caught fire. The historic building was totally destroyed by fire. In the 1930's, the site was cleared for use as a park.
Archibald John Battle was president 1860-1862 (he later served as president of Mercer University from 1872-1889). Joshua Hill Foster was joint principal from 1869-71 and president from 1871-1873 (then became faculty member at University of Alabama until 1892). John F. Lanneau served as president from 1873-79 (later serving as president of Baptist Female College in Lexington, MO and Pierce City College also in MO).
The ruins of the old Alabama State Capitol building can still be seen in Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa.
Source
Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society
Contributor
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Type
Photograph
Identifier
2352
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Photograph
Physical Dimensions
10 inches x 10 inches